Field Guide to Birds of North America

Western Spindalis

Spindalis zena

Order

Family

Code 4

Code 6

ITIS

Egg Color:

Number of Eggs:

2 - 3

Incubation Days:

12 - 14

Egg Incubator:

Female

Nest Location:

On tree branch.

Nest Material:

Lined with fine material., Twigs and plant material.

Migration:

Nonmigratory

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General

Western Spindalis: Small tanager with black-gray back and dark rufous nape and rump. Throat patch is yellow, bib is red-black, breast and collar are yellow-orange, and belly is white. Head is black-and-white striped. Bill is dark gray, short and conical. Wings are dark with white patches. Tail is black with white edges. Female and juvenile are gray overall with pale yellow belly and undertail.

Range and Habitat

Western Spindalis: This species is a native of the West Indies, and occasionally wanders into southeastern Florida and Florida Keys. Preferred habitats include open montane forests, forest edges, and shrub areas in moist, tropical and subtropical areas. They are also found in degraded former forests.

Breeding and Nesting

Western Spindalis: Two to three brown-flecked, pale blue eggs are laid in a cup nest made of twigs and plants, lined with finer materials, and built on a branch of a tree. Incubation ranges from 12 to 14 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Western Spindalis: Eats insects and fruits; forages for food in foliage of trees and shrubs.

Readily Eats

Safflower, Apple Slices, Suet, Millet, Peanut Kernels, Fruit

Vocalization

Western Spindalis: Song is a high-pitched, thin "zee-tit-zee", "tittit-zee." Call is "seeip" or "tsee."